Question 1

The mainstay of the Republic of Texas tax system was:
A) luxury taxes
B) income taxes
C) tariffs on imported goods
D) property taxes

Accepted Answer

The Republic of Texas heavily relied on tariffs on imported goods as its main source of revenue. This was because Texas had a small population and limited industry, so it needed income from trade with other countries. Luxury taxes were not as significant because Texas was still a developing country with few luxury goods available. Income taxes were not practical because many people were farmers or had irregular income. Property taxes were used, but they were not the mainstay of the tax system.

Question 2

Who was the Reconstruction Era Republican governor of Texas?
A) Sterling Robertson
B) Edmund J. Davis
C) Edward Clark
D) Frank Lubbock

Accepted Answer

The Reconstruction Era Republican governor of Texas was Edmund J. Davis, who served from 1870 to 1874. Sterling Robertson was a landowner and empresario in early Texas, Edward Clark was a Confederate governor during the Civil War, and Frank Lubbock was a Democrat who served as governor during the early years of Reconstruction.

Question 3

The first state to adopt a general sales tax in 1932 was:
A) Mississippi
B) Texas
C) Massachusetts
D) California

Accepted Answer

Mississippi was the first state to adopt a general sales tax in 1932 as a response to the financial difficulties imposed by the Great Depression.

Question 4

At its height in the mid-1950s, the severance taxes on oil and natural gas provided what percent of Texas revenues?
A) one-tenth
B) one-third
C) one-half
D) two-thirds

Accepted Answer

At its peak in the mid-1950s, severance taxes on oil and natural gas contributed to one-third of Texas revenues, highlighting the significant economic impact of the energy sector on the state's finances during that period.

Question 5

At the state level, the general sales tax in Texas is:
A) 4.25 percent
B) 5.25 percent
C) 6.25 percent
D) 8.25 percent

Accepted Answer

The general sales tax in Texas is 6.25 percent. However, in certain areas, such as cities and counties, additional taxes may apply, bringing the total sales tax rate up to 8.25 percent in some areas.

Question 6

Who beat Texas Governor Mark White for re-election in 1986?
A) George W. Bush
B) Ann Richards
C) Dolph Briscoe
D) Bill Clements

Accepted Answer

Bill Clements defeated Mark White in the 1986 Texas gubernatorial election, marking a return to office for Clements, who had previously served as governor from 1979 to 1983.

Question 7

The "three-legged stool" of state revenues refers to all but which of the following revenue types?
A) property taxes
B) sales taxes
C) income taxes
D) inheritance taxes

Accepted Answer

The "three-legged stool" of state revenues refers to the three major revenue sources of state governments: property taxes, sales taxes, and income taxes. Inheritance taxes are not typically included as a major source of state revenue.

Question 8

Texas is one of how many states that has neither a corporate nor a personal income tax?
A) 2
B) 5
C) 9
D) 15

Accepted Answer

Texas is one of five states that does not have a corporate or personal income tax. The other states are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming.

Question 9

In 2006, the Texas legislature revised the corporate franchise fee. It is now called:
A) income tax
B) value added tax
C) margins tax
D) flat tax

Accepted Answer

The Texas legislature revised the corporate franchise fee in 2006 and it is now called the margins tax. It is a tax on business gross receipts and is calculated based on a percentage of a business's taxable margin. The other choices (income tax, value added tax, flat tax) do not accurately describe the corporate franchise fee in Texas.

Question 10

Texas and only one other southern state has no personal income tax. Which of the following is the other state?
A) Mississippi
B) Florida
C) Alabama
D) South Carolina

Accepted Answer

Florida is the only other southern state besides Texas that does not have a personal income tax.

Question 11

The former Texas governor who declared personal bankruptcy in 1987 was:
A) John Connally
B) Dolph Briscoe
C) Preston Smith
D) Bob Bullock

Accepted Answer

John Connally, who served as Texas governor from 1963-1969, declared personal bankruptcy in 1987 due to mounting debts from failed business ventures. None of the other options listed declared personal bankruptcy while serving as governor of Texas.

Question 12

Which president of the Republic of Texas started a navy and invaded New Mexico?
A) Frank Lubbock
B) Sam Houston
C) Mirabeau B.Lamar
D) Sterling Robertson

Accepted Answer

Mirabeau B. Lamar believed in the expansion of the Republic of Texas and saw the need for a navy to protect and expand the nation's interests. He authorized the building of warships and sent an expedition to invade New Mexico with the aim of establishing Texas' claim over the territory. The expedition was a failure, but Lamar's decision to establish a navy proved to be important for the future of Texas as a coastal state.

Question 13

The historian Randolph Campbell reports that in the 1850s the value of slaves constituted about what share of the state's total tax assessment?
A) one-quarter
B) one-third
C) one-half
D) two-thirds

Accepted Answer

The answer of The historian Randolph Campbell reports that in...

Question 14

The federal income tax was approved with the adoption in 1913 of which Amendment to the Constitution? A) 5^th B) 12^th C) 14^th D) 16^th

Accepted Answer

The federal income tax was approved with the adoption in 1913 of the 16th Amendment to the Constitution, which gives Congress the power to levy a tax on income.

Question 15

Tax reforms implemented by governors Lanham and Campbell in the early 20^th century included all but which of the following: A) income tax B) inheritance tax C) severance tax D) franchise tax on capital investment

Accepted Answer

Income tax was not implemented by governors Lanham and Campbell in the early 20th century. The other options were implemented as tax reforms during that time.

Question 16

In what year did Texas adopt the General Sales Tax?
A) 1941
B) 1951
C) 1961
D) 1971

Accepted Answer

Texas adopted the General Sales Tax in 1961.

Question 17

Who was the Texas Comptroller who pushed for an income tax in the 1980s and 1990s?
A) William Hobby
B) Bob Bullock
C) Mark White
D) Dolph Briscoe

Accepted Answer

Bob Bullock, who served as Texas Comptroller from 1975-1991 and again from 1995-1999, advocated for the implementation of an income tax in Texas during the 1980s and 1990s. However, his efforts were ultimately unsuccessful due to strong opposition from taxpayers and other government officials.

Question 18

George W. Bush was first elected governor of Texas in:
A) 1986
B) 1990
C) 1994
D) 1998

Accepted Answer

George W. Bush was first elected governor of Texas in 1994.

Question 19

Setting aside federal revenues, what portion of Texas revenues come from sales taxes?
A) 50 percent
B) 60 percent
C) 70 percent
D) 80 percent

Accepted Answer

The answer of Setting aside federal revenues, what portion of...

Question 20

Texas passed a severance tax on oil in:
A) 1905
B) 1925
C) 1945
D) 1965

Accepted Answer

In 1905, the Texas Legislature enacted a severance tax on oil production, which was the first of its kind in the United States.

Quiz 11: The Way Forward

The mainstay of the Republic of Texas tax system was:

Who was the Reconstruction Era Republican governor of Texas?

The first state to adopt a general sales tax in 1932 was:

At its height in the mid-1950s, the severance taxes on oil and natural gas provided what percent of Texas revenues?

At the state level, the general sales tax in Texas is:

Who beat Texas Governor Mark White for re-election in 1986?

The "three-legged stool" of state revenues refers to all but which of the following revenue types?

Texas is one of how many states that has neither a corporate nor a personal income tax?

In 2006, the Texas legislature revised the corporate franchise fee. It is now called:

Texas and only one other southern state has no personal income tax. Which of the following is the other state?

The former Texas governor who declared personal bankruptcy in 1987 was:

Which president of the Republic of Texas started a navy and invaded New Mexico?

The historian Randolph Campbell reports that in the 1850s the value of slaves constituted about what share of the state's total tax assessment?

The federal income tax was approved with the adoption in 1913 of which Amendment to the Constitution?

Tax reforms implemented by governors Lanham and Campbell in the early 20th century included all but which of the following:

In what year did Texas adopt the General Sales Tax?

Who was the Texas Comptroller who pushed for an income tax in the 1980s and 1990s?

George W. Bush was first elected governor of Texas in:

Setting aside federal revenues, what portion of Texas revenues come from sales taxes?

Texas passed a severance tax on oil in:

Tax reforms implemented by governors Lanham and Campbell in the early 20^th century included all but which of the following: